Very interesting. The powers that be at HP have major cojones, that's for sure. My question is, what if Google decides to evolve Android into a full-blown desktop OS? I am not sure the market can handle more than three competing high-end desktop OSes.

Google stands a better chance at beating everybody in this game, IMO. After all, Android's market share is growing so fast, it's scary. With the imminent introduction of Motorola's Xoom, things are going to heat up even more. Apple OS, by contrast, is now stagnant.

Its scary how much Google knows about me, but it also seems to best fit my usage patterns.

I feel the same.

I stopped using Chromium and switched back to Opera purely because I realised I was using Google on my phone, home laptop and at work.

While to some, it might seem like a silly reason to stop using a web browser, I don't dislike other browsers where as I do dislike other search engines and mobile OSs. So at least I'm cutting down my dependence without forcing a change in my usage patterns.

I see that often: "Its scary how much Google knows about me." I am no expert in security, but I am also not sure this idea of Google knowing is properly represented. As a number, they probably know how many freckles there are my bottom, but whether or not my "number" is ever associated with my name is questionable. I think, in many cases, Google has that capacity, but I am not sure they actually ever go that far, or would reveal that information, unless it is in regard to a criminal investigation, which IMO, would then be appropriate. But, truthfully, I don't really know and also am not too concerned. But then...

I've googled the web in depth for information about myself and cannot find anything. Recently, a company that owed me a considerable sum from a long time ago (a long story), tried to contact me using all the tools available for specifically finding people. they reached a dead end. Guess how they found me: through Social Security (which will act as a conduit for messages of this type). Frankly, considering my social security number is somehow connected to almost everything I do, I am much more afraid of Social Security than I am of Google.

I, as one poster noted, also appreciate the targeting Google makes based on my number, as long as they don't call me 666. BTW, the company did pay me, displaying considerable grace and proving that decency is alive and well in America.